Game apparatus



Sept. 15,1931. D. D, LEVITT 1,822,946

' GAME APPARATUS Filed Jung 1, 1931 A 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 9 N g g A; Y

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w ATTORNEY D. D. LEVITT GAME APPARATUS Sept. 15, 1931.

Filed June 1. 1 3 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 J m INVENTOR Dal ad 0 Lerti';

flak ATTORNEY Sept. 15, 1931. o. o. LEVITT GAME APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 a .0 k 8. n R, m0 .m N E n W Y 4n B Filed June 1, 1931 Ow N Patented Sept. 15, 1931 DAVID D. LEVITT, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK GAME APPARATUS Application filed June 1,

My present invention relates to games and toys and it has for its object'to provide an improved game apparatus of the type in which projectiles are fired at one or more targets through the use of a catapult or similar device. The improvements are directed in part toward means for resetting the target; means for collecting the projectiles; means for reloading the catapult or projecting device; and toward means for placing these instrumentalities under the control of a check or coin mechanism whereby the player pays in this way for the privilege of playing the game. A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved catapult for firing the projectiles.

To these and other ends, the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings Fig. l is a front elevation of a game apparat-us constructed in accordance with and illustrating one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged central vertical section therethrough;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed elevation, partly in section,of one of the projectile collecting mediums;

5 is a front view similar to Fig. 1, but with the front cover plate removed;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevation, partly in sect-ion, of a fragment of a wall of the cabinet showing the check controlled mechanism in detail; 7

Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the catapult mounting;

Fig. 8 is an enlargedvertical section, partly broken away. taken centrally through the catapult device and showing the same loaded;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side view of the catapult mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a section through the catapult taken on the line 10-10' of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is an elevation of the catapult Serial No. 541,269.

mechanism similar to Fig. 9 but viewed from the opposite side, and

Fig. 12 is a top view, showing the loading slide in detail. I

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention there is provided a cabinet comprising a base or body member 1 having a rear wall '2 rising from the rear edge thereof and j provided with a door 8. The cabinet also has two side walls 1 connected by a short top wall 5. The front wall 6 inclines upwardly and rearwardly from the bottom wall and is pro- I vided with a transparent window 7 near its 5 upper portion.

Arranged within the cabinet is a cross bar 8 on which are pivoted at 9 a number of targets 10. Each of these targets, in this in stance, simulates a man and lies so as to be visible through the transparent glass or window 7.

Adjacent to the base of the cabinet is arranged a projecting mechanism for a projectible such as small spheres 11. This projecting mechanism or catapult embodies a carriage 12 mounted to swing about an upright axis 18 and having its movement limited in two directions by stops 14. This carriage has projecting upwardly and rearward- 30 ly therefrom a barrel 15 with a projectile receiving chamber 16 at its front and lower end, said chamber being open at 17 so that a proj ecting device may enter the chamber, engage a projectile 11 therein and impel it througll the tube upwardly and rearwardly toward one of the targets in order to displace said target rearwardly, and downwardly when hit. as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. The direction the projectile takes is determined by the position of the projecting apparatus which is positioned through a handle 18 extending forwardly through an opening 19 in the front wall of the cabinet. r The user of the machine is required to make a guess as to the direction in which the barrel 15 is pointed as the barrel is hidden behind the front wall, and by practice the user can direct the barrel toward any one of the targets after becoming familiar with the feel of the adjustments. As the targets are spaced apart, the user, in many instances, positions the barrel so that the projectile passes between the targets. The projectile is expelled through the barrel 15 by a hammer 2O pivoted at 21 to the swinging carriage and having the firing pin 22 adapted to pass through the opening 17 in the receiver and engage a projectile in the receiver. The hammer 20 is normally pressed toward projecting position by a spring 23 and is withdrawn from projecting position by a trigger 24 which is pivoted at 21 on an axis in common with that of the hammer. This trigger carries a latch or detent 25 which is pivoted at 26 on the trigger 2 4 and is normally held toward latching position by a spring 27. The free end of the hammer is curved or beveled at 28 so that the nose 29 of the latch or detent 25 will engage a shoulder 30 on the hammer and hold the latter toward the trigger 24. hen the trigger 24 is engaged with the hammer and is then lowered, this detent 25 will engage a trip 31 and will release the hammer 2O permitting the firing pin 22 of the latter to engage the projectile 11 under the influence of spring 23, and project the same upwardly and rearwardly through the barrel 15.

With the end in view of feeding the proj ectiles 11 one ata time to the receiving chamber 16, the latter is extended downwardly and rearwardly from the barrel at 32 (Fig. 8) and has arranged therein a loader in the form of a slide 33 which has a pocket- 34 extending therethrough, in which the projectiles are received, as in Figs. 3 and 8 and from which they are projected by the hammer 20. Communicating with the loading slide is a slightly inclined tubular magazine 35 leading to -the receiver chamber extension 32 from a hopper 36. When the slide is in a position to present a projectile 11 to the barrel 15, communication from the magazine tube 35 to the receiver extension 32 isclosed by the slide.

When the slide moves downwardly and rearwardly the pocket or opening 34is presented to the magazine 35 and the projectile 11 passes into the pocket 34tobefed into alignment with the barrel. Movement of the loading slide 33 is effected through an arm 37 rigid with the trigger 24. This arm engages a lateral projection 38 onan arm 39 which has a bifurcated free end 40 straddling a lug orprojection 41 extended through a slot 42 in the receiver extension 32 from the loadingslide 33. -Aspring arm 43 also engages the projection 38 to move the arm 39in the direction opposite to that in which it is moved bythe arm 37 and it is this spring, acting thus indirectly and through arm 37, thatreturns the trigger.

WVhen the trigger 24 is moved upwardly'to pull the hammer 20 downwardly, the slide 33 moves rearwardly and downwardly to pick up one of the projectiles 11'and transfer it target. This chamber is visible through the window 7 and has an inclined wall 45 leading from the rail or cross bar 8 downwardly and forwardly. A curved ledge 46 in the chamber on the wall 45 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 47 beneath which is arranged a slide 48. This slide has both a longitudinal movement and a loose lateral movement on thecurved ledge 46and has an opening 49 through which the barrel 15 projects, the two movements bemg necessary because of the fact that the.

barrel 15 swings on the .vertical pivot 13. The slide will move with the barrel and provide a closed connection between the barrel and the curvedledge 46 notwithstanding the movement or the shifting of the barrel. At

the lower end of the wall 45 and at opposite ends of the curvedledge 46 are two openings or discharge passages 50 which by passageways 51 discharge into the hopper 36.

and thence to the magazine 35 so that projectiles which do not reach the targetsmay be used for other plays. Those projectiles which strike the targets or pass between them are received in a collecting trough 52 which has a tube 53 projecting downwardly and forwardly to discharge into the hopper .36.

It may be here said that the invention con-' templates incorporation in the machine of a coin control, the idea'being that a predetermined number of projectiles 11 shall be placed at the disposal of the player upon the deposit of a coin of a predetermined denomination in the coin controlled mechanism associated with the structureheretofore described to furnish the actuating means for the release of the projectiles accumulated during aprevious operation. In order to prevent the discharge of the projectiles 11 into the magazine 35', until all of the prov jectiles in the magazine 35 have been fired,-

a gate 54 is provided which enters a'slot 55 in the tube 53 leading from collector 52- toprevent the passage of the projectiles 11 when the gate'is in closing position. .This gate, in this instance,-is supported by an arm 56 on a rockshatt 57. This also carries a double arm member 58, one arm ofsaid member having a spring 59 secured thereto normally to hold the gate 54 in, closed position. The other arm on this member 58 eX- tends in the path of a coin chute 60 so that 9 position, as 111 Fig. 0.

proje'ctiles in the collector 52 and tube 53 'may be deposited in the hopper 36 and thence reach the magazine 55. Th6 controller 62 is in the form of a disk having notches 63 and rotatable with a shaft 64 which extends to the exterior of the casing and has a knob 65 tl'irough which the controller may be turned. Of course, unless a coin is deposited in the coin slot 60 and enters one of the notches or coin seats 68, the

\ member 58 cannot be shifted. The resetting of the targets 10 maybe effected by a cross piece 67 lying in back of the targets and forming part of a yoke embodying arms 66 which are also mounted on the rock shaft 57 and are swung to reset the targets at the time that the gate 5% is lifted through the coin controlled mechanism.

It is thought that the function and mode of operation may be followed from the above 7 description, but to review it briefly, it will be assumed that when an operator approaches a machine, the projectiles 11 will be accumulated in the collector 52 and tube 53 behind the gate 54, which is in operative The deposit of the coin 61 in coin slot 60 enables the rotary actuating disk 62 to cause it to lift lever 58 against spring 59, raising the gate 54 and at the same time bringing cross piece of yoke 56 forwardly to reset the targets 10, or such of them as may be down. The said projectiles 11 thus fall into hopper 36 and roll into the magazine tube 35. The catapult or projectile barrel 15 is then moved about in an areuate path by means of the handle 18 with the operators one hand, while, after aim is taken, the trigger 24 is depressed and released with the other hand. W hen the full charge of projectiles has been exhausted and collected by collector 52 or reshot from chamber 44, which also acts as a collector to that extent, the play on the coin deposited is terminated.

lVha-t I claim as my invention and desire :to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a game apparatus, the combination with a displaceable target having hi registering and set positions, of means for firing a projectile in the direction of the target,

a loading device for said means, a collector a projectile in the direction of the target, a loading device for said means, a collector for the projectiles when fired delivering to the loading device, check controlled means arranged to normally accumulate the projectiles in the collector and permitting their transfer to the loading device when released, and means movable with the last mentioned means for resetting the target.

3. In a game apparatus, the combination with a displaceable target having hit registering and set positions, of means for firing a projectile in the direction of the target, a loading device for said means, a collector for the projectiles when fired, a runway leading from the collector to the loading device, a gate normally blocking the runway, check controlled mechanism for releasing the gate, and means operable with the latter under the same control for resetting the target.

l. In a game apparatus, the combination with a dis iilaceable target having hit registering and set positions, of means for firing a projectile in the direction of the target, a loading device for said means, a collector for the projectiles which are fired beyond the target de ivering to the loading device, check controlled means arranged to normally accumulate such projectiles in the collector, for permitting their transfer to the loading device and for simultaneously resetting the target when displaced, and a second collector arrangec to receive the projectiles that do not pass the target, said second collector be ing arranged to automatically deliver the projectiles to the loading device independently of the check controlled means,

5. In a game apparatus, the combination with a displaceable target, of means for firing a projectile in the direction of the target, a loading device for said means, a collector for the projectiles which are fired beyond the target delivering to the loading device, check controlled means arranged to normally accumulate such projectiles in the collector and permitting their transfer to the loading device. when released, a second collector arranged to receive the projectiles that do not pass the target, saidsecond collector being arranged to deliver the projectiles to the loading device independently of the check controlled means, and means operablewith the check controlled means for resetting the target.

6. In a game apparatus, the combination with a displaceable target having hit registering and set positions, and means for firing a projectile in the direction thereof, of a loading device for the latter embodying a magazine, a collector in rear of the target adapted to deliver the fired projectiles back to the magazine, a collector in front of the target for automaticallydelivering fired projectiles back to the magazine, when said pro jectiles do not pass the target and coin con- SUI trolled means for accumulating projectiles in the first mentioned collector independently of the operation of the second named collector and for releasing the projectiles to the firing means and for simultaneously resettin the target when displaced.

7. In a game apparatus, the combination with a plurality of independently pivoted upright targets adapted to be knocked over when hit, of means for firing a projectile in the direction of the targets, a loading device for said means, a collector for the projectiles when fired delivering to the loading device and embodying a chute, a gate in the chute arranged to accumulate the projectiles, a resetting bar extending in rear of the targets and adapted to reset them all at one movement, and check controlled means for concomitantly actuating the resetting bar and releasing the gate.

8. In a game apparatus, the combination with a row of independently pivoted upright targets adapted to be knocked over when hit, of means for firing a projectile in the direction of the targets, a loading device for said means, a collector for the projectiles when fired delivering to the loading device and embodying a chute, a rock shaft, check controlled means for rocking the shaft, a gate arm on the shaft normally in position to accumulate projectiles in the chute, and an arm on the shaft for resetting the row of targets when the shaft is rocked to release the gate.

9. In a game apparatus, the combination with a displaceable target having hit registering and set positions, and means for firing a projectile in the direction of the target embodying a loading device and a magazine associated therewith, of a projectile collecting hopper in rear of the target, a chute leading from the hopper to the magazine, a. gate arranged to accumulate projectiles in the chute, collecting means in front of the target for automatically delivering into the magazine projectiles which do not pass the target, and check controlled means for releasing the gate and for simultaneously resetting the target when displaced.

10. In a game apparatus. the combination -with a disnlaceable target having hit registering and set positions, of means for firing a projectile in the direction of the target, a loading device for said means. a collector for the projectiles when fired delivering to the loading device, and check controlled means for releasing the projectiles from the collector and for simultaneously resetting the target when displaced.

7 11. In a game apparatus, the combination with a target having hit registering and set positions, of means for firing a projectile in the direction of the target, and check controlled means for resetting the latter and for simultaneously delivering projectiles to'the firing means. 7

12. In a game apparatus, the combination with a target having hit registerin and set positions, of means for firing a pro ectile in the direction of the target, and check controlled means for resetting the latter and also admitting projectiles to the firing means.

13. In a game apparatus, the combination with an elevated target, and means arranged in front thereof for collecting projectiles, of means arranged at a lower level than the target for firing projectiles in the direction of the target and having a barrel portion projecting through the collecting means.

14. In a game apparatus, the combination with an elevated target, and means arranged in front thereof for collecting projectiles, comprising an incline and a ledge projecting therefrom having a slide therein, of swinging means arranged at a lower level than the target for firing projectiles in the direction of the latter and having a barrel portion projecting through and closely fitting the slider,

DAVID D. LEVITT. 4 

